Delta Gamma Anchor Splash

After a 25-year absence from the University of Arkansas, Delta Gamma was able to “Dive In and Do Good” Saturday April 1 with its philanthropy event Anchor Splash. The event hosted both IFC fraternities and Panhellenic sororities who participated in different swimming competitions, such as a 200-meter medley, a 100-meter inner tube relay, and a 100-meter t-shirt relay.

“I loved participating in Anchor Splash,” said Alpha Omicron Pi member Caitlyn Goodman. “I used to be on a swim team, so it was really great getting to do what I love while supporting a charity.” Goodman said.

In addition to swimming, sororities and fraternities participated in a synchronized swimming competition in which each group performed a two to three-minute musical routine in the water. Tariq Salem, a member of Phi Delta Theta, said the synchronized swimming was his favorite event.

“It was some of the most fun I’ve ever had at a philanthropy event. I’m definitely looking forward to it next year.” Salem said.

Teams also participated in a banner contest, a Bliss percentage night, and Anchorman and Junior Miss DeeGee pageants. Farmhouse member Jacob Parish was named the 2017 DG Anchorman and Cate Skinner of AOPi was crowned as Junior Miss DeeGee.

Kappa Delta won first place overall in the sororities division while Lambda Chi Alpha placed first in the fraternity category. Delta Gamma’s Vice President of Panhellenic Affairs Katie Bowman coached the winning team Lambda Chi Alpha and said she was proud of how hard her team worked during the competition.

“The team was very easy to work with and they had great energy the whole time.” Bowman said, “It helped that they were so excited to participate which made it more fun.”

Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash raised over $18,000 that will be donated to different philanthropic organizations, such as Service for Sight, the Burlsworth Kids and the Lion’s Club. Service for Sight supports the four schools founded by Delta Gammas for the visually impaired and other North American organizations that promote sight preservation and provide assistance to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired.

Director of Anchor Splash Sophie Tomasic said she enjoyed working on the event and getting to know other Greek groups and getting them excited about the event.

“I was very happy with the turnout, money raised, and competition at Anchor Splash this year, especially considering this is our first year back on campus.” Tomasic said.

Anchor Splash will be an annual event which Delta Gamma hopes will make an even greater impact on campus every year. Check out the video from the event here!